Petey's Legend
By CHRISTINA MINOR
Tribune-Herald staff writer
His dog represents a bygone era � the days of silent movies and vaudeville. But the memory of the American bull terrier still lives on in the hearts of many Americans, as well as former owner Ted Lucenay of Robinson.
Pete, the canine comedian from the Our Gang movies, still receives
attention although he's been gone for more than 60 years. A quick
search of the Internet confirms the continued interest of the Our Gang
stars, with special mention of Pete, and numerous Web sites have been
devoted to the group.
Movie rental stores, such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Video still
receive enough interest to carry the classic comedies and the newer
versions. Younger residents might remember the Little Rascals , the
name that replaced Our Gang . The newer movies had a different dog
playing Pete.
Lucenay is regularly bombarded with requests for pictures and
information about his beloved animal. Museums have contacted him, and
the Waco-McLennan County Library also wanted information for a display.
Helen Lucenay, Ted's wife, said the interest in Pete comes and goes.
"When the movies were brought back on television, people would call for
a story or want Ted to send them a picture," she said. "I don't think
Ted minds. This is something that's a part of him."
Although Lucenay is used to the attention, Pete was more than a celebrity to him. He was a best friend.
"He was a gentle, playful and warm dog," Lucenay said. "He would sleep
at the foot of my bed. He was just the regular family dog. I really
miss him."
Lucenay was a young boy growing up in California when Pete was alive.
When the pair would go for walks, people would stop Lucenay and Pete,
so they could have their picture taken with the dog.
"He was always recognized," Lucenay said. "Everybody loved him."
To further publicize the lovable pup, Lucenay's father, Harry Lucenay,
would take Pete to the Steel Pier in Atlantic City for fans to meet him
and pose for pictures with him.
Pete first got his break in show business in the 1920s when he took
over Pal's � his dad � place in the Buster Brown silent movies. The
Buster Brown director, Hal Roach, went on to direct Pete in the Our
Gang comedies. Infamous for the ring around his left eye and his funny
antics, Pete quickly stole the show.
And now, as his legend carries on, people are wondering what happened
to the remains of the Tinseltown dog. Pete died in 1946, when Lucenay
was 18. Lucenay joined the Army and after his discharge, settled in the
Waco area in the 1950s when he married Helen.
According to e-mails from roadsideamerica.com, Pete has sparked
numerous rumors concerning his whereabouts. One reference mentions Pete
was poisoned, leading to his demise. Another reference mentions
cemeteries where Pete could be buried.
But, Lucenay said, none of the rumors are true. Pete died of old age,
not poison. And the final resting place of the famous pup � that secret
remains with Lucenay.
But the one thing for certain, the black ring around Pete's left
eye was not the work of a makeup artist. The natural skin coloration
was such an oddity that it became certified by Ripley's Believe It or
Not.
When asked about the rumors and information circulating about Pete,
Lucenay responded, "There's always going to be something out there. And
in today's world, anything's possible."
